About the Startup:

µPledge is a crowdfunding solution that helps investors improve their financial wellness, while connecting them to verified sustainable startups. In support of the UN's Sustainable Developmental Goals, we believe that equity crowdfunding needs to cater towards an investor experience that is both lower risk and more sustainable.

Our improved investor experience includes gamification design principles; additionally we verify our startups using a proprietary AI-augmented diligence process. Our story began when 3 co-founders from different parts of the world, Malaysia, Spain and Kenya, came together to solve a global mission.

‍

Problem and Opportunity:

The impact crowdfunding market is still untapped with low retention rates among retail investors. This results in limited funding opportunities for impact startups who want to change the world.

‍

What makes our startup unique:

(i) We integrate gamification design principles to provide a truly unique retail crowdfunding experience;

(ii) Our AI-augmented sustainability diligence process exceeds any rule-based framework in terms of scalability.

‍

Go-to-market plan:

Through strategic partnerships with B2C incumbents such as retail and commercial banks and VCs, as well as ecosystem building with impact incubators, accelerators and funds.

‍

Traction & Milestones:

- Incubated by the Oxford Fintech Programme March 2021;

- Featured on PlugandPlay AsiaPacific's Playbook platform;

- Finalist for the MaGIC DeepTech bootcamp 2021;

- Top 11 Global Startup in Startupbootcamp's Sustainability Accelerator 2021;

- Early discussions for a sustainability due diligence pilot with a VC.

‍

Management Team:

Andrew Chong (CEO) - Leads Global Product Development and Data Science for a Big 4 multinational capital markets firm; Capital markets experience(Due Diligence, Corporate Valuations, Restructuring).

Reka Bors (CMO) - Vice President of EMEA for award- winning financial technology company; 15 years of experience for European Fintech

Asha Kamenge (CPO) - 25 years of Products and Innovation leadership experience in the banking sector; Multiple award-winning products in internet and mobile banking in the African market.

‍

Ask:

By the end of 2021/early 2022 we plan to raise €430K pre-seed round.